SUBANG JAYA: Malaysia Athletics (MA) has confirmed the appointment of South African Thabo Matebedi as the national sprint head coach, two days after Twentytwo13 first reported that the governing body had secured the services of a coach from the African nation.
In a statement today, MA said Matebedi (main image), was selected after the national body and the National Sports Council (NSC) reviewed applications from four candidates from Botswana, Poland, Jamaica and South Africa.
Matebedi’s appointment is aimed at strengthening the national sprint squad ahead of this year’s Asian Games and the 2027 SEA Games.
Malaysia Athletics president Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh earlier told Twentytwo13 that an agreement had been reached with a South African coach, but withheld his identity until contractual matters were completed.
At the time, Wan Hisham said the new coach was expected to begin work “very soon”, with preparations for the Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya among the immediate priorities.
Malaysia Athletics described Matebedi as “one of South Africa’s leading sprint coaches” and said he holds a Level 3 Elite Coaching qualification.
The association said he has built an impressive reputation for developing international-calibre sprinters, including South African 100m champion Sinesipho Dambile, Bayanda Walaza and Mukona Manavhela, the African Under-18 100m and 200m champion.
Matebedi also previously coached Gift Leotlela, who finished fifth in the men’s 100m at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo in 9.87s.
MA said Matebedi is expected to arrive in Malaysia early next month once all documentation, including his visa and work permit, has been finalised.
“He will be given time to develop a comprehensive training and athlete development programme for the national sprint squad,” the statement said.
The governing body added that it, NSC and the National Sports Institute would “monitor the implementation of the programme regularly”, including evaluating performances, identifying emerging challenges and assessing the programme’s strengths and weaknesses to ensure the targets set are achieved.
Matebedi’s appointment also marks a change in direction for MA, which had earlier indicated it was looking to recruit a Jamaican coach.
He will take charge of a sprint squad spearheaded by national 100m record holder Azeem Fahmi, who will look to improve on his bronze medal effort at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
